I hate semi's

[meteor3178]

I am MAD, I was cut off the other day (9/14) by a semi and had to go to the hospital. My bike is a wreck (no pics yet) and will probably never run again except with major repairs. This was my only transport and thus my only way to work. I ended up hiring a lawyer but I don't think I will get what my bike is worth (the world to me).
They said they didn't see me but I say they didn't look or they didn't care if they cut me off. I'm so pissed right now I could scream.

I was told several times that people saw a motorcycle in the mix and it must be my fault because I choose to drive a DANGEROUS vehicle. I kept saying this was not my fault but they either didn't hear me are didn't want to. Motorcycles are always given a bad rap on the road. We are the daredevils who take our lives and the lives of others in our hands. I got this motorcycle because after my backkrupcy this was all I could afford. I fell in love with the bike and it was the only thing I own of any value to me (except my life) and it saved me money as well as being a lot of fun.
To top it off I don't know how I'm going to be on a bike now, I mean I thought I was going to die ( I ended up partially underneath the tractor, between the front and rear wheels) being crushed by the trucks wheels. I was lucky but did this really need to happen. If people took the time to LOOK when they make turns and lane changes I wouldn't have lost my bike.

Thanks for the rant time, I needed to get this out. I can't give any details about the accident, my lawyer has advised against it.

The meteor might be retired for good.

[WMarshy]

Hey man, don't worry about the bike it can be replaced. We're just glad your still alive! Sounds like a horrible experience, I hope the lawyer can help you get what you deserve and some. Medical bills can really add up...

[BA80]

Well Dale, your obviously well enough to be really pissed so I assume you are OK. That's all that really matters.

I have an SF and an SH frame you can have either for shipping or you can pick it up here in Tulsa. Niether have paper but I can put you onto someone who can fix that if you need.

Figure what else you need and I can make you a good deal on it if I have it. Can't give it ALL away though. We'll get you back on the road.

I'll bet there are others here who will help also.

[dpotter58]

( I ended up partially underneath the tractor, between the front and rear wheels)
(

SHIAT man. WOW. glad you are OK enough to type.

[slow mo]

i,m glad your ok i was seriously hurt by a cop he hit and run!! no charges to the cop as far as i know! he was coming home from a wedding in his own car,, so for just riding my bike legally i also am made to feel guilty my only crime was to be on the same piece of road at that time near that AS@H0le,,bled into my head and tore up a shoulder!! ride safe ,,slow mo if this blurb is off topic for the mods kindly delete ,,mo

[DGXSER]

Wow that is a bad bad deal. Good news is you seem to be in good condition. As Wade said, bikes are easily replaced, you and your parts and pieces are MUCH harder to fix. Its amazing what they can do with modern metals, but it never really fixes it completely.

As to the bike, post what you need to get it back on the road and I bet you will find plenty of parts available.

[latexeses]

OMG That is nothing to sneeze at. Last time I checked those f6@#!n trucks are still heavy.

Spend your time healing and don't worry about the ride. Things will work out.

Take care, you are in our prayers.

Rodger & Debbie

[Pat Kelly]

So very glad you weren't too seriously hurt!!!
As someone that has and rides XS1100's and been riding over 40 years, I understand the bias against motorcycles. Those that don't ride think bikes are dangerous and so are the people that ride them. Thus when a bike is in an accident it must be the bikes' fault.
I am also a truck driver. People that don't drive trucks think that trucks (and the drivers) are always at fault. Trucks are slow and heavy and always in the way. They have blind spots and the drivers are rude.
I was hit by a semi once. On a country road, late summer afternoon. Clear sky and no trtafic except for the truck (hauling double tankers to a dairy) and me (on my bicycle). Truck comes up behind me, crosses centerline to pass, slowws from 50 MPH (the speed limit) to 20 MPH (my speed). He comes alongside me and moves to the right shoving me off the road. He had no reason to do this other than to shove me off the road. I went into the dirt after pounding on his door and shouting. I wobbled but didn't fall. I pulled in behind him and drafted him for another mile till he got to open road. I had that license memorized. CHP came to take a report but didn't. The officer said I was lying and to not bother them anymore. Rest of the story is unimportant.

Bikes and trucks both get bad raps because of a few bad riders/drivers.

[CatatonicBug]

Wow! It's amazing how one guy who gets hit by a car in Utah gets tons of press, but a crash with a semi gets nothing! Glad you're doing well enough to tell us about it though. Take it easy and heal right. Good luck on the legal battle too.

[roadrider]

trucks

Just a few words , The biggest item is If your can not see the truck driver in his mirror , the he ( the driver ) can not see you.
As a retired truck driver and a current bike rider I have had alot of people drive and ride in my blind spot when I drove big rigs
If you ended up between the front and the back tires , there is a chance you were riding in his blind spot.
I am glad you are going to be ok.
Please dont blam everything on the truck drivers!

[DGXSER]

I often hear it said that Trucks have big blind spots and the other drivers need to make sure to stay clear of it. Well I say that is a bunch of crap. If I drive my truck, towing a camper I have some blind spots, I know I have them, I have to look out every mirror and window to check them, then move. I also keep track of traffic around me and make note if a vehicle "disappears" then I know I have to find it before I move lanes.

SOME truck drivers seem to feel like the road is there for them, and it sup to the other drivers to make sure we do not get in their way. I do ALOT of driving, over 1000 miles a week most of the time. I see alot of trucks and alot of cars, and some bikes. On the total percentage of things that I see, it is typically the truck drivers who just turn on blinker and here I come, move, slam on your brakes or get hit. Especially if they are up to speed and come up on a slower truck or car, they just turn on that signal and pull out. I have very very rarely seen one slow down if a car is beside them or to close to make pulling out safe. At least twice a week I test my brakes out due to a semi pulling out when I am even with his bumper going past them. It is up to them to make sure they have a clear space to move into, not up to the drivers in that lane to make sure they leave a space for them to go. No difference in the law for them than there is for cars or bikes. If you feel you have blind spots you can not monitor, then get in the right hand lane and STAY THERE!!

I know many of our members are or have driven trucks for a living, and I know not ALL drivers are like that, but by and far the majority seem to figure who ever has the biggest toy wins.

And yeah, don't get me started on their moving road blocks when there is a lane merge up ahead. By all means lets not have traffic merge when the signs and conditions require, lets force that to happen two miles back.

[3Phase]

Day um, Meteor!

Like Greg said, at least you're in good enough shape to be pissed off so don't worry about the bike, it's just metal!

[Special Ed]

Dayum!

I am so very sorry to hear of this! I'm glad you are OK, but the rest of the story sucks! I didn't have the time to read the other post to this thread, but I am, as my ancestors were fond of saying, "obliged" to you. If there is any way I can help, please let me know. Hang in there!
Special Ed

[Special Ed]

Oh sh*t

I thought you were "Threephase." Still sorry to hear about you, but not quite so "obliged."
Special Ed

[3Phase]

Me no play with big truck, Ed!

That's playing tag with a brontosaur that only has one working brain at the head and none at the tail. Stay away and give 'em any space they want when they want it; nothing but smiles, rainbows and unicorns for the poor drivers trying to get those critters to run the road in (mostly) the same direction!